1. My torment piled on torment from all sides,
My blood spilled midst the darkness and lament.

2. My tears rouse the weepers, my sighs reveal
To the grief-stricken my own grief, violent.

3. My passion grew until it rose above
All power to describe it, all attempts belittled.

4. If my heart sought comfort, that selfsame love
Bars all relief, being cruel andADDON

5. inveterate.
I learned nothing save sorrow in the fire

6. Of anguish, was no diver in the sea of passion.
No ornament was fashioned for my tears

7. Except that I was constantly tried byADD OMA hardship.
The glance of the Babylonian would suffice

8. To ravish the Greeks, to elicit soft sighs from the branches.
A scorpion stung my cheek and poisoned my sleep,

9. So he that would pluck my flower felt the fangs.
Fortune aided my star to sink in the West,

10. Yet I stand, despairing, twixt fortune and disaster.
I will follow my purpose, go where I must,

11. And turn my back on death, however fearful.
May honor yet save me from disgrace, riches

12. From poverty, or I meet an unmourning death.
For the varying world has tasted my essence,